I can't get over the feel of air mattresses. Dunno what it is, but I got this on Amazon and it feels just like my regular bed. I'm a light sleeper so sleep comfort on camping trips are my soft spot. I'll make sure to have a battery powered fan, a good pillow, and a comfy mattress.
I have the luno life too. I got tired of airing it up at the campsite and being that guy making the loud noise from the pump. Losing air in the middle of the night and cold spots. So I got a tri fold foam mattress. So. much .better. it's warmer, comfier, and easier to setup. Haven't looked back since.
Milliard Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover Space Saver Single Size (75 inches x 25 inches x 4 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W67PJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9RWCDMDR2DA76JQQ1EDY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I sleep in my 06 rav4 Sport half of every week. I’m 5’10” and the when you lay half the backseat down (I use the drivers side) and slide the rear seat as far forward as it will go I have plenty of room to stretch out. You have to fill in the gap between the rear seat and the trunk floor, I use a rolled up yoga mat. On top of that I lay a 4inch memory foam mattress topper.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W67PJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3SLpDbDXDB10M
I do this on a regular basis and stealth is not needed for my purposes so made Velcro screens that go on the outside of all four of my windows so that I roll them all down. You could do the same on the inside of the window if you did want anyone to know what you were doing. I keep a small camping lantern and a battery powered fan in there and I’m all set.
This is awesome info. I’m slowly building up my down stash. Shit is expensive! Every time I have an REI dividend or someone gives me a gift card, I try to buy a new piece. I was able to get amazing jacket with a hood on clearance, so I’m grateful for that. I’ll be cutting the Reflectix for the window tomorrow and made sure to buy extra to put on top of my sleeping pad. I bought this on Amazon: Milliard Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover Space Saver Single Size (75 inches x 25 inches x 4 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W67PJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_oZ5cGbY1G5E9A?_encoding=UTF8&psc=
I know it will be cold, so I’m going to wrap it in a wool blanket and then put the sleeping pads on top.
I've never had an air mattress that didn't leak. I thought it was me but it's such a big problem that several air-mattress companies have gone out of business...because they pretty much all will develop leaks.
I know it's not what you were asking, but just my opinion that the air mattresses are going to cost you more in the long run, so I went with the solid but foldable setup.
I just do weekend camping and I use the trifold mattress that many others here also use, from Amazon. It wasn't enough for me to sleep on my side though, so I got 3-inch thick foam slabs from Walmart in the crafts section. They are green, 24" wide, and around 36" long so you'll need two. I put the foam down first and the mattress on top of it, and it sleeps incredibly well.
https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Folding-Mattress-Washable-Single/dp/B00W67PJ4M?pd_rd_w=s51Ou&content-id=amzn1.sym.94349326-ca8a-4b0d-94f0-6931485b8573&pf_rd_p=94349326-ca8a-4b0d-94f0-6931485b8573&pf_rd_r=PYJG8JBZ75YA3VQNWQ8X&pd_rd_... I bought and use this one. I really like it. It is the perfect cushion ans firmness for me.
I use a regular camping cot with something like this.
Milliard Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover Space Saver Single Size (75 inches x 25 inches x 4 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W67PJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_3K7A285KTRWH6C83RMQF
I also got a cot sheet that works perfectly with it
We did this one in twin, but they have them in multiple sizes. It’s honestly really comfortable. We put a waterproof mattress cover on it.
Milliard Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover Space Saver Single Size (75 inches x 25 inches x 4 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W67PJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_PGHQFB3KR79F2MPFRSQ9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have very little advice to give as I’ve never attempted to live in my vehicle but I do have a CRV (2019 if that matters) that I have camped in and I can tell you that if you lay the back seats down, a full length mattress fits almost perfectly. It has to just slightly lay over the center console (or be squished a bit). I got this mattress because it folds up nicely and can sit in the back if I need to bring the seats back up. I like it because it’s full length but narrower than a twin so I still have room to put a cooler and all my other stuff next to me while the mattress is folded out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I went with this one at the suggestion of another car dweller. If I could choose again I'd try to find something with true memory foam, but this does its job well enough.
I got this for my minivan to put on top of a low-rise cot of the same dimensions after seeing it in a 'no-build build' for a Grand Caravan on Youtube.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I know this is 4 months later but I got this to use with a low profile cot from Walmart. It's only 8" off the floor so 12" with this mattress. I wanted to be able to sit on the bed and not hit my head on the ceiling, I have a '97 Grand Caravan.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Looking at past history i paid $78.49 for it. Plenty of other competitors as well on Amazon too so whichever fits your budget :) It’s good for myself but I’d recommend seeing other builds/bigger if gonna take two people as well as how it’ll fit in yours with gear
https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Folding-Mattress-Washable-Single/dp/B00W67PJ4M/
It is $71 and alleged to be quite comfortable. Amazon has more "trifold mattress" for lower prices. Just a foam topper bottoms out so pointy bits like elbows get no cushion.
We have two of these for the back of our camper shell platform. They are 4" and pretty firm. I weigh 250-ish and I find the mattress comfortable, my shoulders and hip bones do not hurt. They are not as comfortable as my home bed, but work great for our trips.
I don't know how to do those shortened links that people do. But here is the long version: https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Folding-Mattress-Washable-Single/dp/B00W67PJ4M/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_0_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00W67PJ4M&pd_rd_r=68a20057-0a79-44fb-bfea-b46c73cd95c3&pd_rd_w=rJM5q&pd_rd_wg=PUeMh&pf_rd_p=9ef7282...
If can fold up but still takes a decent amount of space but I enjoy sleeping on it for my solo trips.
Now if i were to bring a second person I’d either have to look at an inflatable mattress (exped or something) or I would have to somehow make a foam cutout (problem with that is I move stuff around + gear in the back)
A lot of car campers like a 3 or 4 inch foam folding mattress. A Full will fit snugly in the back of my Honda Pilot or a Toyota 4-runner, a Twin will fit most everything else.
I have a 2014 Gen 3 and it does tilt slightly upward, but with a mattress or pad you wont notice the difference. I use this mattress and sleep comfortably.
Stealth/private camping vehicle ideas:
Tri-fold mattress, blackout curtain, 35% or state legal tint, Rain Guard and ShadeSox (bug/privacy screen), and optional hyper-insulated custom window covers. Avoid covering the driver and front passenger side windows, not as stealthy. Only use a windshield sun shield in the summer.
Scout out light industrial street parking and large suburban apartment complexes in safe areas.
I intend to car camp and picked up https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M which seems to have jumped in price, but thats camping equipment these days.
All of that wood is too much for me. I just use a cooler behind the passenger front seat and the center console to span the gap behind the front seats with a little piece of plywood that hides in the hatch under the trifold cushion (4").
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The trifold fits neatly in the hatch with the back seats up with room for pillows and blanket. It is the exact size for folding the passenger side rear seat down flat. Because of the color, mine looked soiled after 3 years, but I was able to buy a new cover for $30.
I have this in the twin and it fits in the back. Maybe they have a double that would fit as well.
I found 4 of these (https://www.target.com/p/small-modular-storage-box-brightroom/-/A-85665001?preselect=83279850#lnk=sametab) work well to cover the gap. I use this mattress on top: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I have a Milliard Tri Folding Memory Mattress with Washable Cover (75 inches x 25 inches x 4 inches) it works great! When it's folded it fits behind the seats & is long enough to go from the passenger seat to the hatch. Here are some pics of it in my Prius.
I picked up this guy, stores perfectly in the back when not in use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00
This is the mattress I ordered after seeing in a minivan conversion video. I have a low rise cot of the same dimensions as this mattress.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W67PJ4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I suppose I misspoke because I don't dwell full time, but do the car camping/travel like you.
Anyways, the equipment is pretty much just the mattress which is a Millard Tri Fold (it's amazing). I have a small cooler behind the passenger seat that I put a pillow on top so that the mattress lays completely flat when I sleep (I fold it up otherwise). I got that tip from this youtuber who also has tons of other great recs.